Climate
New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so January and February are the warmest months, autumn is from March to May, winter is from June to August, and spring runs from September to November.
The climate is temperate with relatively mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The weather varies a lot between different regions – the far north is subtropical while the south gets icy wind straight from Antarctica.
Culture – social & cultural activities
New Zealanders – or ‘Kiwis’ – are famous for their warm hospitality. We're friendly, welcoming, enjoy meeting people from other cultures and love sharing food and conversation. In daily life, we're relatively informal. First names are used, even in business.
Rich cultural mix
New Zealand's multi-cultural society is a result of migration from many parts of the world, beginning over 1,000 years ago with the arrival of the Maori. The British began to colonise New Zealand from the mid-19th century.
New Zealanders today come from many ethnic backgrounds, including European, Pacific Island, Asian and African. Multi-cultural influences are very much part of our fashion, art and music.
Three official languages
English, Maori and sign language (for the deaf) are New Zealand’s official languages.
Cultural freedom
There are laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender, race or disability. If anybody's behaviour makes you feel uncomfortable, talk immediately to the staff at your institution. They are committed to providing a safe environment for you and are trained to deal with any difficulties.
Sexual harassment and gender discrimination are unlawful and unacceptable in New Zealand. Workplaces and education institutions have clear guidelines to prevent and deal with sexual harassment.
Food and drink
You’ll love New Zealand’s affordable fresh cuisine and world-class wines and beers. We’re a major producer of pasture-fed lamb, venison. Dairy products, fruit and vegetables are abundant and inexpensive.
Eating out
Food outlets range from casual cafes to formal, more expensive, restaurants. You’re never far from a ‘takeaway’ shop for fish and chips – an enduring national favourite.
Ethnic cuisine
New Zealand’s multi-cultural society is reflected in the wide range of ethnic restaurants in our cities. Suburban shopping malls have food courts - areas where you can try different dishes for a very reasonable price. Weekend markets are a good place to find Asian vegetables and other ethnic ingredients.
Eating in
Supermarkets are the cheapest places to buy groceries. Most supermarkets provide plastic bags but some are ‘pack your own’. Most supermarkets have an organic section. There are also specialist stores that stock a large range of Demeter, Bio Gro and other organic brands. Weekend fruit and vege markets are held in most towns and cities.
Religion
New Zealand is a truly multicultural society that offers an environment where people of all beliefs feel comfortable.
About 10% of the population is actively Christian and many of our public holidays are from the Christian calendar.
Religious freedom
Religion is seen as a matter of personal choice and human rights law guarantees freedom from discrimination. Major cities have churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and other centres of worship.
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